All change at Toro Rosso

Tough gig, driving for Toro Rosso.

You just get good, and then you're unceremoniously dumped to make way for the (maybe) next Vettel. Such has been the fate of Jaime Aluersuari (which is bad news for my continuing Alguersuaras joke) and Sebastien Buemi. Both performed well this year, but not (it would seem) well enough to keep their Red Bull paymasters happy.

So, like Lotus/Renault/Delete-as-applicable, it's all change at Red Ball Jr, as Daniel Ricciardo joins the team along with Jean-Eric Vergne.

Ricciardo we know a bit about, as he was given the chance to have a go in an HRT for 11 races after some fizzy drink money accidentally found it's way into the Spanish team's rather empty wallet. A best result of 18th might not seem that great, but he made his more experienced team mate Liuzzi look pretty shabby, although, to be fair, your average 19 year old in a souped-up Vauxhall Corsa probably could have done that too.

Like Ricciardo, Vergne has had an odd route to F1, his last outing having been Formula Renault 3.5 (Nope.. me neither.) 1 year younger that Ricciardo at just 21, he's got his work cut out to shine against a team mate who has at least driven an F1 car, even if it was a spectacularly crappy one.

We shouldn't be under any illusions though. Toro Rosso are all about finding the next young star for the Red Bull team. Unless you excel, you'll be binned just like Jaime and Seb B.

Good luck chaps. You'll need it.

(Spot of the Blues tonight, courtesy of The Bullet Blues Band's "Sweet Home Chicago".)

Comments

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